The Tsum Valley is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley situated in the northern Gorkha, Nepal. ‘Tsum’ comes from the Tibetan word ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid. Against the majestic backdrop of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal & Boudha Himal ranges, this serene Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture & religion. The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin & speak a unique dialect. Trails are strewn with artistic chhortens & lined with mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with drawings of deities & inscribed with prayers. The famous Kyimo Lung, a pilgrimage circuit in the central Trans-Himalaya, is well-known for its centers of learning & meditation. This circuit traverses the Tsum Valley, the Manaslu area in Nepal, & southern parts of Tibet.

The Tsum Valley has a long history of Buddhism. The Buddhism saint Milarepa is believed to have meditated in the caves of these mountains. Traditionally, the valley was a culturally distinct geographical area called ‘Tsum Tso Chuksum’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. The ancient remains of the Tsum kingdom are still visible today. Due to its remoteness & inaccessibility, this sacred valley & its people have been bypassed by mainstream development for centuries. As a result, the unique culture of this valley has remained intact.

The valley is drained by the Shiar Khola, which originates from the western glacier of Ganesh Himal & east & southern glaciers of Sringi Himal & meets the Budhi Gandaki at Nyak. It is approachable via two routes: one passing through Chumchet & another from Lokpa. Both routes involve steep ascents of over 1500m from the valley floor. The valley is uniquely rich in wild life, specially in ghoral & thar, which congregate in herds of 50 – 200. Hunting is not permitted in the Tsum valley. The valley also boasts some unique & historic monasteries, including Rachen gumba & Mu gumba, which lie on a pretty plateau nestled in the lap of the valley, & gumba Lungdang, situated at the base of a conical hill against the main slope of Ganesh Himal.

HOW TO ACCESS TO TSUM VALLEY?

The Tsum valley can only be accessed by foot or by a 35 minutes chartered helicopter flight from Kathmandu. The trail to Ngula Dhojhyang is the main trail into the valley & is part of the larger Kyimo Lung (or Beyul Kyimulung) circuit, which circles the Sringi Himal along the Nepal – Tibet Boarder. The trail of Ngula Dhojhyang is also the main trail to Rachen gumba & Mu gumba, making it a popular pilgrimage trail.

The trail starts at Arughat in Gorkha district, a day’s bus journey from Kathmandu. Arughat is connected to Kathmandu through Gorkha bazaar, Trisuli bazaar & Dhading bensi. Trisuli to Arughat has no motorable road, but there are seasonal road connections from Gorkha bazaar & Dhading bensi to Arughat.

5 – 6 hrs/approx, about 50% last part of the trail strenuous steep up hill.

DAY 08: VISIT THE GUMBA OF CHHEKAM:

Excursion day,

DAY 09: CHHEKAM – RACHEN GUMBA (3240m)

3- 4 hrs/approx in gentle climb along the west bank of Shiar khola and beautiful wheat fields.

DAY 10: EXPLORING DAY

You may visit to a famous Milarepa cave, called Piren phu, where there is Milarepa’s foot print can be seen.

DAY 11: RACHEN GUMBA – MU GUMBA (3700m)

5 hours on foot, pleasant walk along the Shiar khola, both side high mountain views: Ganesh Himalayan range to the east and Sringi Himalayan rage to the west.

DAY 12: EXPLORING DAY

Around Mu Gompa, there are many options to do, if you have time can visit to the Dephyudoma gompa,to the Tibet boarder, but for that you need to bring tents to sleep and foods etc.

DAY 13: MU GUMBA – CHHEKAM (3031m)

5 hrs/approx on foot.

DAY 14: CHHEKAM – CHUMLING (2386m)

5 hours on foot, there is a another trail via Ripchet village a beautiful forest trail to Lokpa directly a long day, but I always don't want to recommend any to take this route, there are more than 4 wooden bridges you have cross, and two of them are extremely scary! Too high above the deeeeeeeeppppppp gorge, and most of the woods are getting loose! So in case if you want to take this trail, make sure before you go there are strong new bridges or not??

DAY 15: CHUMLING – LOKPA (2240m)

5 hrs/approx on foot.

DAY 16: LOKPA – JAGAT (1340m)

5 hrs/approx on foot.

DAY 17: JAGAT – MACHHAKHOLA (869m)

5 - 6 hrs/approx on foot.

DAY 18: MACHHAKHOLA – SOTIKHOLA (700m) - ARUGHAT BAZAAR (608m)

5 - 6 hrs/approx on foot, then you may hike till Sotikhola, then can have a jeep and drive to Arughat.

DAY 19: ARUGHAT – KATHMANDU (1300m)

8 hrs/approx.

"Please let me know if you are interested in any of these treks. I can help you arrange any treks or itineraries in Nepal. You can make any of these treks longer or shorter to fit your stay in Nepal."

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About Prem

Prem Rai was born at a beautiful little hamlet called Sintup 7, Tamku of Sankhuwasabha. It is located in the area of Makalu Barun National Park the most remote north part of East Nepal. He is self employed Trekking guide since 1999. He has over decade of experienced about trekking and tour organizing in Nepal through the Himalaya. On 26 Feb, 2004, he had received an “A” grade Trekking Guide License by His Majesty’s Government of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal.“Feel open to contact him, whether you have any interest about Nepal and all related activities in tourism and adventures. He can help you arrange any treks and tours or itineraries in Nepal. You can make any of these trips longer or shorter to fit your stay in Nepal.".”With warm regards – namaste!

Special Note: All these services are provide only through the Government legalized company.

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